We are only a few hours to the end of the Dare2Dream initiative by fashion brand Kinabuti and Pulse.ng.

Day 10 of Dare2Dream saw the D2D team and FCMB Dare2BePurple with the finalists from UniPort fly in to Lagos via Dana Air. At the airport the team bumped into someone we all know and love – Ini Edo! The star took out time to share her Dare 2 Dream for Nigeria.

Once they arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos, they were joined by the UniAbuja finalists and they met the Unilag participants at the “Africa Future | Bridging the Development Gap” event – an inspiring gathering for sharing ideas for change and development.

The 18 finalists totally got into the mood of Dare2Dream project and the motivation behind it.

After the event, the full team, together with the finalists, reached the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino in Victoria Island, Lagos, where Francesca Rosset (Designer, Kinabuti) explained the program, rules and regulations of the bootcamp.

Day 11
The bootcamp started with the FCMB Challenge at the FCMB HQ in Marina, Lagos, with a master class by human right activist and democracy advocate Hafsat Abiola Costello.

The girls felt a lot of emotions and inspiration running through their veins and some even broke into tears. Hafsat said – “My father used to say my religion is love, and love doesn’t know any boundary“….”you girls are focusing on your modelling career, and your academic career. I want you to focus on your political career too and get involved in your communities“.

Dr Ola Orekunrin of the Flying Doctors also shared her story, views and what it means to be an entrepreneur with the girls. She said – “Entrepreneurship is the ability to believe, despite the resource you control.” “Success is a lousy teacher, you learn everything from failure.“

Heading back to the Federal Palace, the girls attended a masterclass on healthy eating and lifestyle by Maje Ayida followed by a fitness class.

The day ended at the Federal Palace Hotel and casino with the modelling class by Bola Fawehinmi from Few Model Management to get the girls ready for the photoshoot session.

Day 12
This was an other busy day in the Dare2Dream Bootcamp which started with a beautiful an insightful master class at the Federal Palace by visual artist Victor Ekpuk. He shared his story and what art means to him.

The Dare2Dream team then moved to Lekki to the Nike Art Gallery to start their photoshoot. Chief Nike Davies Okundaye welcomed the team to her amazing art gallery and shared her story on how she has become a world renowned artist.

After makeup was done by Maybelline NYNG, the Dare2Dream film director and photographer, Marcello Pastonesi started the photoshoot. 6 girls posed in front of the camera for the Kinabuti X Vlisco “Cosa Nostra” Collection which will be officially launched at the Federal Palace on the 6th of December 2015 at the Grand finale of Dare2Dream.

The day ended with an amazing masterclass by new media entrepreneur Ono Bello, who thought the girls about the importance of social media and how to use it as a branding tool. Ono Bello will be overseeing the social media challenge and will score the girls based on their performance on social media.

The 28 Finalists with Ono Bello

Day 13
Day 13 saw the Dare2Dream participants facing the first elimination. Some shed tears when jurors decided who the 12 participants remaining in the competition were. The six eliminated contestants will be going home via Dana Air and will leave the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino.

The day continued with the full Team heading to the Fela Shrine for session 2 of the Kinabuti Vlisco “Cosa Nostra” Collection. The inspiration for the event wad so high that one contestant even wrote a poem titled “Today at Fela Shrine”.

***
He left his foot prints on the sand of time
Knowing there was something that he left behind
When he left his world, he left no regrets
leaving something to remember, so they won’t forget
He gave his all, did his best
brought someone some happiness
Left his world a little better just because he was here
He lived, he loved
he was here.
by Ijeoma Okafor | Dare2Dream contestant

Day 14 | Tolulope Balogun unveiled as the Face of ‘FCMB Flexx’ Account
The day started with an interview at COOL FM with Mannie and the Angels, followed by Wazobia FM. The girls got the chance to be interviewed by their favourite presenters and shared with the audience what they have learnt so far at the Bootcamp.

The 12 participants then moved to the COOL FM/Wazobia Studio to attend a masterclass by Onimisi Adaba who taught the girls about diction and which the key elements are when presenting. Every girl had the chance to present and receive constructive feedback by Onimisi on how to improve their way of presenting. The girls were very grateful with the feedback received, and got back to the Federal Palace Hotel for Dance Classes with ICE and the dancers of SPAN.

At 5PM, the girls joined the FCMB Team for the launch of ‘Flexx’ – the FCMB youth account, and the presentation of Tolulope Balogun (Dare2Dream Season 1 winner) as the new face of FCMB ‘Flexx’. The girls had the chance to showcase their talent and entertain the public.

Day 15 | IK Osakioduwa, Tonye Cole and Elohor Aisien mentor Dare2Dream participants
Another amazing day at the Dare2Dream Academy saw the 12 finalists meet at the FCMB HQ. They got to interact with IK Osakioduwa, Tonye Cole and Elohor Aisien who shared their stories.

IK shared his story from his dyslexia to overcoming it and realizing, with a lot of tenacity and hard work, his dream to become a radio presenter. He said – “Success is never an encounter, it is a choice you make everyday.” “The difference between successful people and those who are not successful is the ability to transform a gift into a skill that can be reproduced on demand.” The girls couldn’t stop asking him questions.

Then it was a turn of Tonye Cole (GMD of Sahara Group), who shared his personal story, and after listening to the girls and giving advice said – “The choice you make determines your future and to realize those dreams you need to wake up.“

Elohor Aisien graced the Dare2Dream project with her presence and asked every participant what they dream of in life. She listened and advised the participants with her personal experiences. The energy was amazing and every body felt very inspired and grateful to be there. When the mentors left, it was time for the second elimination which saw Dasola (Uni abuja) and Module (Uni Lag) leaving the Dare2Dream Academy.

Elimination is never a happy moment. The team left the FCMB Challenge to return to the Federal Palace and practice yoga with Maje Ayida from Eden Lifestyle, modelling with Bola from Few Model Management, dancing, and then meeting Shaydee for their singing class.

Day 16 | Mo Abudu Masterclass with The Girls “Your Choices determine your Reality”
Day 16 started very early at 7AM with a masterclass by David klieg (GM of the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino), on table manners and the importance of etiquette, especially during business Meals.

Once the masterclass was over, the Dare2Dream girls reached the Kinabuti Atelier for casting and fittings for the Kinabuti X Vlisco “Cosa Rostra” Fashion Show. There they met the other models of Few Model Management who will be strutting the runaway at the Dare2Dream Finale.

By 1PM, the Dare2Dream team returned to the hotel for a master class with media mogul and “serial entrepreneur” Mo Abudu, who shared her story and her tips to success. She said – “It is okay to have big dreams…don’t confuse progress with activity.” “Your team is very important, try to build a strong team.” “Your purpose in life is based on the journey you take” “Surround yourself with smart people.” “Never be put off by the size of your dream.” “Believe in the G factor: GOD.” “Creak your dreams down, so that you can achieve them in byte size.” “Don’t make excuses, get things done.” “Listen to your dreams killers because they advise you unknowingly.” “Find the right opportunities and seize it.” “It is important that whatever you start you must finish.” “Build good relationships with people.”

It was such an honour to have Mo Abudu give a masterclass and everybody gained greatly out of it, including the Team.
After the masterclass, the girls attended a modelling and dancing class.

Day 17 | How to be a high performer | Dare2dream team visits pulse Nigeria office
Day 17 started with the creation and presentation by the 10 Dare2Dream finalists of their vision board, which described their vision and dreams in life.

After that, the Dare2Dream team moved to the Pulse Head office to receive a masterclass by Rich Tanksley (Head of Pulse), on ‘How to be a high performer’. He said – “High performers are people who produce result regardless of time. Always be at your best because your clients expect you to perform high. Always get the job done and not giving excuses all the time. Pursue more than one solution to a problem. Never just solve the problem, solve the cause of the problem“.

The inspiring morning was followed by the third elimination, which saw four participants leaving the Dare2Dream academy. The day ended with a modelling class by Bola of Few Model Management and dancing classes with Ice of SPAN.

Day 18 | Mai Atafo and Ladi Balogun end the FCMB Challenge at the Dare2Dream
It was an inspiring day at the Dare2Dream Academy with Ladi Balogun and Mai Atafo, closing the FCMB Challenge. They spoke on integrity and authenticity.

“It is when things fail that you have to go into introspective and learn how to do things better. See failure as an investment“, Atafo said.
“Being authentic, means people can see who you are – it is essential so people don’t misdiagnose you and your situation. Live a life by design and not by default – you need to have a plan. Authenticity is a journey and it is worth starting this journey“.

The grand finale of the second edition of the Kinabuti and Pulse.ng’s Dare2Dream will hold on December 6th 2015.

_________________________________________________________________________________________BellaNaija is a Media Partner with the Dare2Dream initiative

About Jennifer Obiuwevbi

Jennifer is the Beauty Editor & Style Representative of BellaNaija.com.
Get in touch - Send an email to: beauty(at)bellanaija.com or style(at)bellanaija.com | Follow us on Instagram: @bellanaijabeauty OR @bellanaijastyle | Follow us on Twitter: @bellanaijastyle

Hehehehe, my former bank where I was enslaved, but thank God I am now free. The men are cool, but d women are good at making d work place a living hell for you. Meanwhile dat lady in d pic praying or smthn on the Dana Air flight. That pic is epic